By Year – The State of the State for Washington Latinoshttp://www.walatinos.org
A Community-Based Research Project from Whitman CollegeTue, 20 May 2014 18:35:09 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.1NEW REPORT: Impact of Secure Communities on Latinos and Local Law Enforcement in Eastern Washingtonhttp://www.walatinos.org/2012/02/impact-of-secure-communities-on-latinos-and-local-law-enforcement-in-eastern-washington/
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:00:59 +0000http://walatinos.net/?p=1048

How has the immigration enforcement program Secure Communities impacted Latino communities in Central and Eastern Washington State? Secure Communities increases cooperation between local jails and the federal government to identify undocumented immigrants for deportation. Implemented in Yakima, Franklin, Benton and Walla Walla counties in the summer of 2011, Secure Communities has been both supported and opposed by different community groups. This research listens to voices of Latino immigrants and other Latinos as well as public safety officials to assess the impact of Secure Communities in Washington State.

Methods: We interviewed first, second, and third-generation Latino community members, local law enforcement, and local immigration attorneys in all four counties examined. From these interviews, we recorded stories and personal experiences of interactions between local law enforcement and Latino community members, dealings with immigration enforcement, perceptions of the Latino community and law enforcement, and the experience of working in the US as a migrant laborer. We also requested public records and analyzed county data to determine demographics and volume of undocumented residents placed on detainers since 2008.

Findings:

All participant groups had a limited understanding of Secure Communities.

Latino community members believe that, under Secure Communities and past immigration policies, local police actively collaborate with immigration agents to detain and deport undocumented residents.

Law enforcement agencies in Eastern Washington do not intend to enforce immigration law.

Latino residents feel that local officials and law enforcement do not “know” the Latino community and do not take into consideration their views and perceptions.

Latinos who have respectful interactions with law enforcement commonly approve of their work.

Latino community members infrequently call the police for minor, non-violent crimes but are willing to call the police if they are victim or witness to a crime that endangers one’s personal safety. Language and lack of procedural clarity decrease the likelihood that Latinos will call the police.

Secure Communities and past immigration enforcement policy in all four counties have exaggerated undocumented Latinas’ reluctance to contact the police when victim to domestic abuse.

ICE’s involvement in local law enforcement procedures increases the feeling of insecurity in the Latino immigrant community. This cooperation limits the public spaces in which undocumented residents feel comfortable or safe; limits Latinos’ willingness/ability to be politically engaged in local politics; and increases the potential for racial profiling by police.

Recommendations:

Latino leaders and local law enforcement should hold public forums to inform the Latino community about Secure Communities and local law enforcement’s non-involvement in active immigration enforcement.

OneAmerica and local law enforcement should hold joint Know-Your-Rights presentations in each county.

Local jails should review all ICE detainers and honor only detainers for aggravated felons.

Washington State lawmakers should denounce anti-immigrant legislation across the country.

Washington State lawmakers should continue allowing Washington residents to apply for driver’s licenses without Social Security numbers.

ICE and DHS should explicitly define the terms “criminal alien” and “serious criminal” as indicated in Secure Community policy, excluding misdemeanors and minor infractions from crimes meriting detention.

ICE and DHS should enforce prosecutorial discretion in state detention centers and provide training.

This study investigates the cultural competency policies and practices of three Walla Walla public schools, identifies culturally competent practices, and suggests areas for improvement at each school and the district overall. The research was guided by our community partnership with the Bilingual Coordinator of the Walla Walla Public Schools (WWPS), Diana Erickson, and Latino Club Advisor, Bill Erickson.

METHODS: We used the “Snowball Method” to recruit teachers, administrators, Latino parents, and Latino students for individual and group interviews (in the case of parents and students) at Blue Ridge Elementary School, Garrison Middle School, and Walla Walla High School. The three schools have the highest percentage of Latino students in the district. Staff and faculty members at the three schools were surveyed about communication with Latino parents and Spanish-dominant speakers, confidence in teaching in culturally competent ways, general views on the effects of students’ cultural backgrounds and race in school, and experiences with prior cultural competency trainings.

FINDINGS:

In 2009, an unfunded mandate by the Washington State Legislature identified cultural competency as an effective means of reducing the achievement gap in Washington public schools.

There are no policies explicitly establishing a commitment to cultural competency at Blue Ridge, Garrison, or Walla Walla High School.

Teachers are uncertain about how to address racial conflict in the classroom, expressing more faith in their abilities to teach Latino students in culturally validating ways. Teachers more confidently encourage students of different cultural/racial backgrounds to work together after attending cultural competency trainings.

Latino students perceive certain barriers to their success at school, including discrimination from other students, lack of racially and culturally diverse staff members, and marginalization in advanced and Advanced Placement classes.

Latino families value schools’ efforts to affirm the cultural backgrounds of Latino students through providing bilingual staff members, culturally-inclusive family events, and express a desire that schools further develop these efforts.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE WWPS DISTRICT:

Increase racial and cultural diversity within district administration and on school staff.

Provide cultural competency training for teachers that focuses on developing cultural knowledge and an understanding of the role that culture plays in a person’s life.

Promote communication between Latino families and schools by involving minority parent representatives in the WWPS Diversity Committee and encouraging the hiring of bilingual staff members.

Identify, develop and implement culturally affirming practices in the classroom and in family outreach efforts.

Our project examines the relationship between the experiences of English Language Learner (ELL) students and parents and the policies and practices of teachers and administrators in Walla Walla Public Schools. The main research questions we investigated were:

a. How do the district’s policies for teaching English align with student, parent and teacher experiences and expectations?

b. How do different ELL instructional practices affect student, parent and teacher success?

c. How can the district improve ELL policies, practices and experiences?

Methods: Our study focused on Blue Ridge Elementary School, Garrison Middle School and Walla Walla High School (Wa-Hi). We interviewed students, parents, and staff at each school, as well as district administrators. We conducted 11 interviews with teachers, school administrators and district administrators for the staff perspective. Additionally, we conducted 3 personal interviews and 2 focus groups with a total of 9 parents, and 6 student focus groups with a total of 29 student participants.

Findings:

The Dual Language program is seen by the majority of ELL students, parents, and school staff as the ideal ESL instruction program for the district.

ELL parents were supportive of their children’s ESL education and recognized the importance of being involved at school, yet struggled with linguistic and socioeconomic barriers to full participation.

ELL students identified their language barrier as their primary obstacle, which adversely affects their academic performance and their relationships with teachers and other students.

Teachers support some form of student assessment and school accountability for ELL students, but were opposed to harsh penalties imposed on students and schools with low achievement on state assessments.

Recommendations:

Expand the traditional Dual Language Immersion program at Blue Ridge to Garrison, Wa-Hi and all schools with appropriately diverse populations, such as Green Park Elementary.

Adapt the model of Garrison Night School to similar ELL parent education programs at Blue Ridge and Wa-Hi to increase parent presence and interaction with their children’s own school.

Develop academic and social opportunities for ELL students, including access to bilingual textbooks, and transportation from afterschool programs.

Policymakers should reevaluate passage of the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) as a graduation requirement and offer standardized tests in other languages.

Community Partners: Diana and Bill Erickson. Diana is the Migrant/Bilingual/ESL Coordinator for the Walla Walla Public Schools and Bill is the Co-Advisor of the Latino Club at Wa-Hi.

This report explores how human service and neighborhood-based organizations might best serve low-income residents. In partnership with Commitment 2 Community of Walla Walla, we assess the needs and characteristics of three low-income neighborhoods in this small rural city where many Latinos and non-Latinos alike live in poverty. We analyze the use of human services in each neighborhood, identify the demographic groups that rely upon such services, and examine the extent to which individuals and families living in poverty are able to meet their basic needs. We also consider the relationship between neighborhood identity and residents’ knowledge and use of services.

Methods: To assess the presence of poverty in Walla Walla, the needs of the specific communities within Walla, and the impact C2C has had on them, we conducted research in three ways: through surveys distributed in low-income neighborhoods, interviews with leaders in the community, and GIS analysis of social service access from different areas of town.

Findings:

There is a large low-income population in Walla Walla concentrated in Commitment 2 Community’s target neighborhoods.

Human services provided by public and nonprofit agencies help low-income residents when they struggle to meet their basic needs.

Informal, personal relationships also help people navigate the process of seeking help to meet their needs: through such relationships, low-income residents access formal services like food banks or find assistance from family members and friends.

White survey respondents graduate from high school at higher rates than non-White respondents, suggesting a gap and potential barrier to educational achievement.

Recommendations:

Neighborhood-Based Organizations should organize more formal and unstructured activities encouraging residents to get to know each other.

Legislators should secure and augment funding for social services in the areas of medical care, employment assistance, food assistance, childcare, housing and utilities support and neighborhood-based organizations.

Hospitals, schools, social service agencies, and neighborhood-based organizations should continue to employ and hire bilingual staff members.

Service providers should build personal relationships between their staff members and those utilizing their services to elicit feelings of trust.

]]>Project Announcement: ELL Policies, Practices, and Experiences in Walla Walla Public Schoolshttp://www.walatinos.org/2011/10/ell-policies-practices-and-experiences-in-walla-walla-public-schools/
Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:03:42 +0000http://walatinos.net/wp/?p=304Our project will focus on the English Language Learners (ELL) policies, practices, and experiences in Walla Walla Public Schools. In 2011, over 31% of students in Walla Walla Public Schools identified as Latino/a, many of who will enter ELL programs during their educational careers. Our survey will explore how schools throughout the district have anticipated and addressed the specific needs of Latina/o ELL students in the classroom. Through examining ELL programs at Walla Walla High School, Garrison Middle School, and Blue Ridge Elementary School, we will also examine how ELL instruction has impacted the experiences and outcomes of Latina/o students and parents presently participating in these programs. Our primary field research will involve semi-structured interviews of students, parents, teachers, administrators, and other relevant school personnel who are involved in the implementation of ELL programs districtwide. These interviews will be framed within the context of our scholarly research, in which we will consider national trends in ELL education and compare different initiatives throughout the state and the nation to the current programs in our local schools.

We investigated the political participation of Latinos in five Washington State locales: the Tri-Cities, Yakima, Walla Walla, Seattle, and Vancouver. Specifically, we identified and explored the main factors that either discourage or facilitate political participation among Washington’s Latinos, and what policies, laws, and grassroots actions can be effectuated to encourage higher levels of Latino political participation. We separated those factors into four categories:

The Legal Structures Related to Ballot Access

Access to Political Information

Interactions Within Latino Communities

Interactions Between Latino Communities and Government

Methods: We interviewed Latino citizens with a wide range of voting and political participation experiences as well as local, Latino political leaders. All citizen interviewees had voted in at least one election but some voted for the first time in the 2008 Presidential Election whereas others have been active in local politics for thirty years. We organized our secondary research into the four broad categories of factors that we identified.

Findings:

The Language provisions of the Voting Rights Act greatly increase political access

Latino voters in counties that are not required to provide the ballot in Spanish struggle to overcome this hurdle to political access

The youngest generation of Latinos in Washington State influence politics both by facilitating voting for their elders and campaigning for better political access

Grass-roots political outreach has proven effective in Latino communities

The newly instated vote by mail system has a tangible and often negative impact on Latino voters

Recommendations: The following is a sample of our 12 recommendations:

Change the triggering formula for Language assistance coverage: the triggering formula is what determines which counties must provide bilingual elections materials. This formula should be changed to include citizen minors, legal residents, and illegal residents integral to our society and economy

Scholarly research on two topics: 1) the Effectiveness of the Voting Rights Act, and 2) the impact of the vote by mail system on Latino voters

Promote local, grassroots Latino political organizations: Government outreach will be most effective if accompanied by locally run Latino organizations

Community Partners: Joaquin Avila and Naomi Strand from the Seattle University Law School and The National Voting Rights Advocacy Initiative.

]]>Re-districting Policies and Their Effect On Public Elementary School Demographics in Walla Walla, WAhttp://www.walatinos.org/2010/01/re-districting-policies-and-their-effect-on-public-elementary-school-demographics-in-walla-walla-wa-2/
Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:00:44 +0000http://walatinos.net/?p=1023

Susannah Lowe

Download PDF
My final project examines the ways in which school diversity can be impacted by certain policies which determine where each student attends school. I attempted to answer the following questions by examining a particular case in the Walla Walla Public Schools (WWPS), located in a town of about 30,000 in southeast Washington: (1) How have the new elementary school boundaries implemented in the Fall of 2009 affected the racial/ethnic, income-level, and native language makeup of the schools which students attend? (2) What policies and/or practices impacted theses decisions? Are these policies and practices detrimental or advantageous for the students who are subject to them? What impact did the neighborhood school model determined by the school district have on the distribution of students? (3) What are the possible effects of these changes for elementary school students within the district?

Methods: I ran statistical analysis of data available from the Washington State Report Cards created by Washington State’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and WWPS administration. This data included the makeup of each school’s population in terms of racial/ethnic minorities, low-income students, as well as the numbers of non-native English speakers at each school and goes back to the 1998-1999 school year. I also used a computer program called GIS to illustrate these data on a map, which allowed for spatial as well as statistical analysis. Finally, I interviewed two school district officials in order to show how the new boundaries were decided upon and to contextualize my statistical and spatial data.

Findings: The neighborhood school model appeared to conflict with a model based on the racial/ethnic integration of students. No scholars suggested the neighborhood school model was beneficial to students’ success and education, whereas many scholars showed that the integration model was valuable in this setting. I also found:

One of the traditionally least diverse schools that was moving towards increasing ethnic and social class diversity in recent years has become less diverse in these two aspects – ethnicity and income-level.

In the school which had been serving the largest Hispanic population and the largest percentage of students living in poverty, there was an increase in both of these populations.

One school that was traditionally white/middle-class did receive a large number of underprivileged and Hispanic students, but integration in this one school nevertheless may not make up for the increasing disparities seen between the five elementary schools

Recommendations:

WWPS should re-examine the benefits of the neighborhood school model to their elementary school students

More research is needed both on the impacts integration can have at the elementary school level and on the positive impacts the neighborhood school model may have for students

This study examines the characteristics and causes of poverty in Walla Walla, WA, particularly for the Latino population. The research asks several questions: due to the inherently multifarious nature of poverty itself, how do the variables of employment, transportation, health care, and domestic abuse affect the poor population? Additionally, what is being done currently to address poverty in Walla Walla, and what policies and practices can be implemented to reduce poverty?

Methods: Throughout my research, I used three different methods of data collection and analysis. I conducted interviews with both local service providers as well as individuals in poverty in order to gain various perspectives on the needs of the poor population. I coupled this data with quantitative information, both GIS mapping data as well as demographic and numerical information about Walla Walla and the nation in general. Concepts related to the importance of space and environment for impoverished minorities proved formative in my research.

Overall Findings:

There is dissonance between perceptions and reality regarding problems for the poor Latino population: there is documented quantitative need, but the Latino population does not appear to utilize social services.
Transportation:

Latinos appeared to use public transit less than whites.

There were notable limitations of public transit, such as access to the DHS and farm labors homes.

Healthcare:

Improved mental healthcare and dental care were cited as important to many participants.

Many participants cited discomfort when receiving care, due to a lack of insurance and/or cultural barriers.

Employment:

There is a significant lack of low-wage jobs available, and due to the generally high unemployment rate, there is unfair competition for the poor population.

Lack of upward mobility in available low-wage jobs.

Domestic Abuse:

Every impoverished female in my study experienced some instance of abuse.

Immigration status proved extremely exploitative for abusers.

General Recommendations:

Construct an accountability framework for service providers in Walla Walla, requiring them to serve all populations inclusively and effectively.

]]>The State of the State for Vineyard Farmworkers in the Walla Walla Valleyhttp://www.walatinos.org/2009/12/the-state-of-the-state-for-vineyard-farmworkers-in-the-walla-walla-valley/
Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:00:23 +0000http://walatinos.net/?p=1003

This research analyzes how the unique position of the wine industry as a combination of retail and agricultural production affects the particular health, housing, and labor needs of vineyard farmworkers. How has this come about, and what are the most effective means to address these needs? I investigate the structural characteristics of Washington wine grape production, such as labor tasks, processing, and costs and then compare the most common labor-related problems – wage theft, sub- standard housing, occupational mobility, health and child care needs – that farmworkers face nationally to find out if local vineyard farmworkers also face them.

Methods: I interviewed a range of different contributors to Washington’s wine industry including: vineyard farmworkers, vineyard owners and operations, farmworker union advocates, members of the Washington State Farm Bureau, and local winery employees.

Findings: My primary research suggests these trends specific to the wine industry:
• One hundred percent of my interview participants (particularly older workers) prefer to work in vineyards than in other labor-intensive crops because it is less physically demanding.
• The detailed nature of vineyard tasks make it more appealing to women but also causes a gender-based segregation in the fields that may have deeper ramifications on gender roles at home.
• Although there are greater opportunities for upward mobility in the wine industry for Latino farmworkers, it is limited in nature – usually preventing farmworkers from accessing the profits of this lucrative industry.
• Typical physical ailments frequent to most agricultural sectors are less common in wine grape production because the work is less demanding.
• Despite its more attractive labor tasks, occupational rights abuses are still common

Recommendations: I conclude that the cultural significance attributed to the wine industry and its resulting high profit margins make the wine industry a key place for bettering farmworkers’ working conditions. I suggest the following specific policy changes:
• Include Farmworkers under the Food Quality Protection Act and Federal Fair Labor Standards Act
• Incorporate Vineyard and Winery Management Skills for Farmworkers into Viticulture Programs
• Facilitate Unionizing Efforts on Farms and Vineyard of All Production Sizes
• Provide Infrastructure Where Farmworkers Can Confidentially Report Labor Rights Violations

This report examines the level of Latino local political representation in the ten counties of Washington State with the highest percentage Latino populations: Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Okanogan, Skagit, Walla Walla, and Yakima. In particular, it is meant to build on previous research that found that Latinos were underrepresented on school boards and city councils in Sunnyside, Wapato, Toppenish, Granger, Pasco, and Walla Walla. I investigated whether such underrepresentation of Latinos was widespread across the state and in all local offices, what factors might be contributing to that underrepresentation, and what processes exist by which local officials and concerned citizens can begin to empower Latino voters and candidates.

Methods: I first sought to find out what local voting jurisdictions exist in Washington State, the ethnicities of their office-holders, and the electoral systems under which they are governed. I obtained complete records from the ten counties examined and established the level of Latino representation in each county through.a surname-analysis of their office holders. I then examined the legal statutes governing the electoral methods of each jurisdiction. Lastly, I conducted a GIS analysis investigating the effect of sociodemographic factors on local political participation.

Findings:

Latinos are dramatically underrepresented in all ten counties examined. Out of 1891 local offices, only 78 are held by Latinos – a percentage of 4.1% despite percent Latino populations ranging from 14.8% (Skagit) to 55.1% (Adams).

No political offices are exceptions to this pattern of underrepresentation.

Nearly all local elections are conducted under at-large voting systems which tend to systematically reduce the influence of the Latino vote. In addition, state law restricts any changes to the method of election for most local offices.

Latinos in the ten counties examined disproportionately possess the sociodemographic factors which contribute to low levels of political participation.

Recommendations:

The Washington State Legislature should amend the Revised Code of Washington to allow all local voting jurisdictions to change their voting method to a pure district-based or alternative system, either by referendum of the voters, discretion of the county auditor, or another suitable option.

Latinos should form local-level political associations and seek support from their wider communities for measures that address the sociodemographic character of Latinos, such as providing bilingual voting materials or increasing youth involvement in the community.

The Washington State Secretary of State’s Office should begin maintaining a current and comprehensive list of local offices in Washington State, their incumbents, and the ways in which they conduct their elections.